Almost 20, more people could die from cancer over the next year in England because of the impact of COVID – , new research suggests .
It has prompted the NHS Clinical Director for Cancer, Professor Peter Johnson to declare that “cancer treatment hasn’t stopped” because of coronavirus and he is urging people with cancer symptoms not to delay in seeking medical help.
The study from University College London (UCL) and DATA-CAN, the Health Data Research Hub for Cancer examined real-time weekly hospital data for urgent cancer referrals and chemotherapy attendances during the epidemic.
It found that the majority of patients with cancer or suspected cancer are not accessing health services.
Analyzing figures from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the Royal Free in London and University College London Hospitals and all five health trusts in Northern Ireland, it found an average reduction in attendance for chemotherapy of % and a % average drop in cancer referrals for early diagnosis.
Comparing the data from 3.5 million patients, the report’s authors estimated that pre – COVID – , about , newly diagnosed cancer patients would die within a year in England.
But as a result of coronavirus, they found there could be at least 6, 768 extra deaths in newly diagnosed cancer patients – a rise of a fifth.
When all people currently living with cancer are included, the figure jumps to 19, excess deaths.
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(Professor), told Sky News: “Cancer treatment hasn’t stopped but we have seen a big reduction in the number of people coming forward and we’d like to reverse that because the system is open for business. “
He highlighted the new” COVID-free cancer hubs “, set up to provide surgery, while independent sector hospitals have signed a deal with the NHS to offer treatment.
Prof Johnson said: “NHS staff have made huge efforts to deal with coronavirus but they are also working hard to ensure that patients can safely access essential services such as cancer checks and urgent surgery.
“From online consultations to the roll-out of cancer treatment hubs, we are doing all we can to make sure patients receive the lifesaving care that they need. “
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